09 August 2011

Inside My Jewelry Box

Today I'm taking you on a tour of my jewelry box. My jewelry box is one of those things that I would grab if my house ever caught on fire, not because it's worth a lot of money or is filled with precious gems, but because each piece of jewelry I own has a story in it and a memory attached to it. When I travel I like to pick up funky pieces of jewelry that I can keep in my family and pass down to future generations. Here's a look at what I've got so far...


I bought this barrette in Venice at a little shop in St. Marks back when I was 16. 



My friend Kayla bought these for me in Togo, Africa.



I bought these in a Moroccan souq.



My friend Becky got these for my birthday in Japan.



My husband bought these for me at a shop near Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Africa. They are malachite stones.



I also bought this in Venice, Italy at a Venetian glass factory. The symbol is Chinese for "woman."



I bargained hard for this in Morocco, made out of camel bone.



I bought this from the same guy as the above necklace. Handmade from shells.



This was passed down to me from my grandma. My grandpa bought it for her in the Holy Lands years ago.



My friend Becky bought these for me on her trip to Palau.



Kayla got these for me in Tunisia. They were given to me at my bachelorette party.



I bought this at a art show...supposedly picked up in Bali.



I paid way too much for this in Marrakesh, Morocco.



Bought at an art show, also supposedly from Bali.

As you can see, I have got quite the collection! There are only a few pieces of jewelry that I own that are not from other countries...my wedding ring and a couple pairs of cheap earrings I picked up here or there around town. My friends also know how much I love collecting, they always bring me earrings when they travel...and I love it!  


Question of the Day:
Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry? 
Which is your favorite out of my collection?






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41 comments:

  1. Hilliary MeisnerAugust 9, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    I have a ring from Jamaica that I always wear. The ring reminds me everyday of the work I have done in the beautiful country. I will never forget the time I spent there!

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  2. onesixthreechirpAugust 9, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    Great jewelry! :D

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  3. AudreyOAugust 9, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    My favorite from your collection is the blue Moroccon piece. I have a huge jewelry box. Many years ago I sold Avon and I own every piece of jewelry they made back then. I've parted with a few pieces, but most of them I just love and can't see myself parting with.

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  4. amy graceAugust 9, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    Love these! Especially those earrings from Japan. I have some diamond earrings that my grandmother gave me for my birthday about a year before she died. She was so sad - she said she wished she could give me more - but I was so grateful for them! I wear them every day in my cartilage piercings, they are the only earrings that don't irritate those spots. I also have a Celtic ring I bought in Liverpool, England when we visited several years ago; however I had a friend that had the same ring, bought at a Scottish festival in Erie, so that was kind of weird.

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  5. Donna @ Life of a Happy BlondeAugust 9, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    I love this post Hannah!
    Every piece has such a story! I have my christening bracelet from when i was a baby in England and diamond earings from Dave and i's first trip as a couple to St Maarten :o)

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  6. henning loveAugust 9, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    wow you have quite the collection Hannah and I am impressed you remember where each piece came from. I like how the jewelry can represent your past history of traveling and friends who have traveled. my favorite is the blue camel bone, the disks are just gorgeous. great pieces you have, thanks for displaying your jewelry box, this is a great post!

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  7. AmYaroundthecornerAugust 9, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    What a fun post! I think my favorites are the orange earrings from Togo, but everything is lovely :)

    And, I know its cliche, but I think you favorite piece of jewelry is my wedding band! I love that it is slender & delicate looking, but it represents such strength.

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  8. classiqAugust 9, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    A beautiful collection! My favourites are the earrings from Togo and the necklace from Venice. A wonderful way to remind you of beautiful places and moments.
    Ada

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  9. RebeccaAugust 9, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    Wow, what exotic finds!!!! I love that each piece has a story. I cannot say the same for my jewelry!

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  10. AnonymousAugust 9, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    the best pieces of jewelry are the pieces like this! those earrings from japan are just amazing!!!!

    i have missed your blog and can't wait to catch up on it tomorrow :) (im heading to concert now!)

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  11. Hannah {Culture Connoisseur}August 9, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    Hillary- Funny my co-worker just read this and mentioned she was going home to Jamaica for a little bit...and that she would pick me up some earrings. What's the jewelry like there?

    Peiyinn- Thanks!

    Audrey- Fun! They make some good jewelry!

    Amy- What a sweet story about your grandma. You'll cherish those forever and have a great story for the kids one day.

    Donna- Wow! That's a great bracelet. Shame it probably doesn't fit anymore...

    Meg- That's one of my favorites too.

    Amy- I don't know that I've seen your wedding band...I feel a post coming on!

    Ada- They do remind me of so much. It takes me back every time I look at them, and it is fun when people ask where I got them...then I get to tell the story again!

    Rebecca- Guess you better find a plane and get moving then! Can't wait to see what you find next time you travel!

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  12. Tony Van HelsingAugust 9, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    Being a bloke I don't wear jewellery that doesn't have a function, so I only wear a wedding ring. Mind you, that art deco barette from St. Marks is nice, although I don't know what a barette is. I thought it was a kind of gun.

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  13. Hannah {Culture Connoisseur}August 9, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    Megan- Ooo I've missed you too! Have fun at the concert...who you seeing?

    Tony- Well, that's probably for the best. Love the play on words. A barrette is for your hair silly! :)

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  14. Stephanie @ henry happenedAugust 9, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    Oh, I love all of them, it's too hard to pick! What a great idea to start that as a collection! And you've been to so many amazing places! Most of my jewelry is kinda crappy but my faves are the ones I've made recently :)

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  15. BrissaAugust 9, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    i have a ring i bought in mexico that i wear every day. i never thought of collecting jewelry from places i've traveled to, but this is a great idea. i love how each piece has a story.

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  16. RachelAugust 9, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    Love that barrette from Venice. My jewelry is mostly cheap stuff I find on sale, but this post is making me want to travel and buy more pieces! What a great idea for souvenirs!

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  17. Jules8August 9, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    Those earrings from Tunisia are amazing! The memories that come from traveling are always priceless.

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  18. .August 9, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    These are all so interesting and unique! My favorite piece of jewelry is a very understated diamond necklace that was my grandmother's, I rarely take it off.

    Come by and enter my K. Amato jewelry giveaway if you like:
    just click here

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  19. SiennaAugust 9, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    i love this post hannah. i love having pieces from all around the world--it feels more special that way. and you CERTAINLY have quite the collection. love it!

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  20. SassyAugust 9, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    I like the post :D
    Lovely blog :D. Follow each other?

    http://www.allamodaeconstile.com/

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  21. BessAugust 9, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    What a fun thing to collect! Maybe I'll steal the idea from you. I love the barette from Venice and the blue necklace from Morocco, although all your pieces are so pretty.

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  22. sherri lynnAugust 9, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    You have some gorgeous pieces in your jewelry box! I love that they're from all over the world! My favorite are the earrings from Togo!

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  23. Alena: Oh, Its Just Perfect!August 9, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    This is a fabulous post and you have so many amazing pieces of jewelry (from such cool places!). I am a jewelry addict. I'm not sure if I have a favorite (other than my wedding ring set)--guess it all depends on my mood :)

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  24. MurissaAugust 9, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    I have a few pieces of jewelry that are my favourites. Two of which came from Mantua, Italy. I bought them right before heading to the Palazzo del Te where I had to present to a class of 30 about the Sala Del Giganti.
    Another one is a necklace by dad bought me from Tiffany's in Oahu, Hawaii and the final one is from my boyfriend who bought me a Cartier ring when we were in Las Vegas after winning $3000 at a Black Jack table together.

    I like the story of the Holy Land necklace your grandpa bought your grandma but for appearance sake I like your Tunisian earrings!

    The Wanderfull Traveler

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  25. Vanisha @ Vanisha's Life in...FijiAugust 9, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    You have an amazing collection Hannah. My taste in jewelry often leaves a lot of be desired! I like the earrings from Palau, but maybe I'm being biased because of the Pacific influence in it :) My favorite piece from your collection would be the barrette. My favorite piece or perhaps the one I wear the most are a pair of earrings that my little brother got me as a gift of Raksha Bhandan (a celebration of the bond between brother and sister, and a brothers promise to always protect his sister)...

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  26. Tamra {ever swoon}August 9, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    WOW, amazing collection and I love each story behind it. I would let you know my favorite, but they are all so beautiful. My favorite pieces of jewelry are my engagement ring, wedding bands, my mom's wedding band and my granddad's rolex. Life long pieces.

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  27. Oh my Dior!August 9, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    I totally love the first piece!!

    http://www.ohmydior.org/

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  28. AshleyAugust 9, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    Such a well-traveled little jewelry box!

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  29. AnonymousAugust 9, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    Love the jewelery! You are a lucky girl to have so much jewelery from another country. The only thing I have from another country is the pearl necklace my mom bought me when she adopted my sister in Russia.

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  30. JillAugust 9, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    wow pretty stuff! You have quite a unique collection. I have necklace from London I like a lot, but other fave jewelry is mostly from family - college class ring, a necklace from my gramma, and an Irish ring from mom.

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  31. AnonymousAugust 9, 2011 at 10:47 PM

    Your blog always makes me want to go to Morocco ASAP.

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  32. GentriAugust 10, 2011 at 12:58 AM

    That is so awesome! Seriously! :) My favorite piece of jewelry is my Michael Kors watch (watches are jewelry not?? If not- then my fox necklace).

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  33. The.Red.SeeAugust 10, 2011 at 2:17 AM

    Great collection, I love the shell necklace. I love jewelry I collect when I travel, they are keepsakes I can wear forever.

    The necklace on my DIY post is still gold! It's just the lighting in the shot!

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  34. Bird Bug PugAugust 10, 2011 at 2:27 AM

    i never went into nordstrom until a year and a half ago because of their prices, and i now only shop in their juniors department where i think the prices are reasonable

    i love all your jewelry, your collection reminds me a lot of one of my best friend's from college which makes me love it more!

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  35. Meghan @ Wishful ThinkingAugust 10, 2011 at 3:12 AM

    Love your earrings from Japan and your camel bone necklace - clearly Morocco is the place to go for beautiful jewellery! My sister makes jewellery and always gives me heaps of it when I go home so they are the most important pieces in my jewellery box (even the wonky ones she did when she first started out!)

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  36. Anastasia August 10, 2011 at 7:42 AM

    You have some gorgeous pieces! Love the blue camel bone necklace especially. Thanks for sharing. xx

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  37. very marriedAugust 10, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    i love the malachite necklace.

    i have a bunch of pieces from China that i looove. i'd probably grab my jewelry box too!

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  38. {The Perfect Palette}August 10, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    stunning pieces!!


    xoxo, chrissy
    The Perfect Palette

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  39. Elizabeth @ Love Is the AdventureAugust 10, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    I loooooooooove the blue camel-bone necklace! Such a vivid color!

    I inherited my great-grandmother's wedding ring from the 1920's and I wear it everyday. I plan to pass her name on to my daughter.

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  40. little random happinessAugust 10, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    What a fun post! I love that they all came from different places. I love the earrings you got at your bachelorette party :)

    I have so many favorite pieces but my top one has to be my engagement ring... that is until I get my wedding band next year ;) My fiance knows I don't like diamond so he got me a beautiful padparascha stone instead.

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  41. customized braceletsSeptember 29, 2011 at 1:21 AM

    Your jewelry collection is so elegant! The stories behind this jewelry and where it comes from are so inspiring. Precious souvenirs!

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